Daily Digest: Aug. 9

Our daily digest is a mid-day update on the stories we’re following in Texas politics today. Here’s what we’re watching:

Judge Dismisses Paxton SB4 Lawsuit:

A federal judge has dismissed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit against Travis County over the state’s new sanctuary cities law. Paxton filed the pre-emptive suit shortly after the bill was signed — seeking to have the measure ruled constitutional.

The law bans sanctuary cities, or the term commonly used for local governments that do not enforce federal immigration laws. It also allows local law enforcement to question the immigration status of people they detain or arrest.

Another lawsuit regarding what’s referred to as SB-4 is still pending in federal court in San Antonio.

Several cities have argued the law violates certain provisions of the Constitution and are trying to prevent it from taking effect. If they lose their court challenge, SB-4 will be enforced beginning September first.

Paxton issued a statement saying he was disappointed in the ruling but that today’s decision has no effect on the San Antonio case.

Seven Days to Go, Little to Show:

Time is running out in the Special Legislative Session and so far zero bills have made it to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk.

While the Senate has passed out 18 of the governor’s agenda items, the House has taken what they’ve called a “more measured approach,” passing out only a handful.

That’s rubbed some conservative House members the wrong way.

Wednesday morning several publicly voiced their frustration with the slow pace, saying bills are being held up by House leadership.

“This is a body of the people, for the people of Texas, and the problem is we have a handful of people, and some would even say one, the Speaker, who is stopping some of this legislation from passing,” Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, said.

But not everyone is disappointed with the pace. Watch Capital Tonight at 7 to hear why some lawmakers say this special session is moving along just as it should.

Remembering Former Gov. Mark White:

“Mark did not serve to assuage his ego or advance his social standing, he served to lead the people of Texas to a better future,” former President George W. Bush said.

Hundreds turned out to pay their respects to a man who was respected by Texans across the political spectrum. That was evident by the bipartisan attendance at today’s service — including Republicans Bush, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Gov. Greg Abbott and Democratic Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

White served a single term as governor from 1983-87.

He will be most remembered for his work in education, approving pay raises and competency tests for teachers, the state’s high school basic skills graduation test – and no-pass-no-play, the rule that students must have passing grades in order to be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities.

“Mark passed these great reforms and raised the taxes to pay for them,” Luci Baines Johnson said. “He was ultimately defeated for having done so…but he like my father had no regrets.”

Julian Read, close friend of White’s and former press secretary to Gov. John Connally, will join us at 7 to remember the life and legacy of White.

Political Analysts:

Democrat Harold Cook and Republican Ted Delisi are in with their take on the special session final countdown.

Let’s keep the conversation going on our political blog! Capital Roundup is an extension of the interviews, debates, analysis and commentary seen on our nightly political show, Capital Tonight. We invite you to join the discussion.

Capital Tonight airs live every night at 7 p.m. with a replay at 11 p.m.